Romereports release: Pope Francis got to meet with some of his distant family members during his visit to Turin. He first celebrated Mass with the group which added to about 30 people. They came all the way from Portacomaro, just a few miles away from the city of Turin. In that very city, the Pope's paternal grandfather, Giovanni Bergoglio, was born back in 1907. There, he married his wife, Rosa Vassallo. One year later, the Pope's father-Mario, was born. On February 1st 1929, they moved to Argentina. After the Mass, the group took a family picture with the guest of honor, included. "Excuse me. I belong to this branch of the family.” After all the pictures and greetings, the Pope had lunch with his distant relatives before heading back to Rome.

Richard Vincent "Dick" Van Patten (December 9, 1928 – June 23, 2015) was an American actor, best known for his role as Tom Bradford on the TV comedy-drama Eight is Enough. Van Patten was a Roman Catholic. He began work as a child actor. He later starred in television and movie roles including Mama and Love Boat. Van Patten is the founder of Natural Balance Pet Foods. Van Patten was born in Kew Gardens, New York, the son of Josephine Rose (née Acerno), and Richard Byron Van Patten. His mother was of Italian descent, while his father had Dutch and English ancestry. Van Patten co-founded Dick Van Patten's Natural Balance Pet Foods in 1989. He was the older brother of actress Joyce Van Patten, the older half-brother of film director Tim Van Patten. He had been married to Patricia Poole (aka Pat Van Patten) since 1954. They lived in Sherman Oaks, California. They had three sons, all actors: Vincent Van Patten, Nels Van Patten, and Jimmy Van Patten. Van Patten died on June 23, 2015 at the age of 86 from diabetic complications in Santa Monica, California.

Sr. Nirmala Joshi, leader of the Missionaries of Charity after Mother Teresa, has diedThe nun, 81, passed away after renal failure, aggravated by years of heart problems. The funeral is scheduled tomorrow at the Congregations home in Calcutta. Born into a Hindu family, after her conversion to Catholicism and entrance into the Congregation she opened the contemplative branch of the Sisters of Mother Teresa.Mumbai (AsiaNews) -, Sister Nirmala Joshi, the first to lead the Missionaries of Charity after Mother Teresa, died last night in Calcutta. She was 81 years old. She had suffered from heart problems for the past few years. After a kidney failure, on Friday, June 19 the doctors wanted to hospitalize her to undergo dialysis. The nun, however, preferred to stay with her sisters: After a Mass celebrated by a Jesuit priest in the hospital, she was discharged. Her funeral is scheduled for 4pm (local time) tomorrow.Today her body will be laid in the Church of St. John, before being transferred this evening to the Missionaries’ home in Tengra, a Calcutta suburb. Tomorrow the remains will be taken to the headquarters of the Congregation, where the funeral will take place.

Sister Nirmala was born in 1934 in Ranchi, capital of Jharkanda, which at the time, was a part of the province of Bihar and Orissa under the British Empire. His parents were from Nepal and her father was a British army officer, until India’s independence in 1947. Although her parents were Hindus, Nirmala was educated by Christian missionaries in Patna, capital of Bihar state.It was then that she first met Mother Teresa and expressed her desire to share in her work. She soon became a Catholic and joined the Missionaries of Charity.

A graduate in political science and after a period spent as a lawyer, she became one of the first sisters of the congregation to lead a foreign mission, when she was sent to Panama.

In 1976, Sister Nirmala started the contemplative branch of the Missionaries of Charity, of which she remained in charge until her election as successor to Mother Teresa in 1997, six months after the death of the founder.

January 26, 2009 (Republic Day, ed) the Indian government awarded her the Padma Vibhushan, the second highest civilian award of the country, for services rendered to the country.

Her term as superior general of the Missionaries of Charity ended March 25, 2009: she was succeeded by German Sister Mary Prema Pierick, who is still at the head of the congregation of Mother Teresa. (NC) Shared from AsiaNewsIT

- Presentation of the Instrumentum Laboris of the Synod: “The vocation and the mission of the family in the Church and contemporary world”

- Annual meeting of the “Populorum Progressio” Foundation

- Audiences

- Other Pontifical Acts

Presentation of the Instrumentum Laboris of the Synod: “The vocation and the mission of the family in the Church and contemporary world”Vatican City, 23 June 2015 (VIS) – This morning in the Holy See Press Office a press conference was held to present the Instrumentum Laboris of the 14th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops on the theme, “The vocation and mission of the family in the Church and contemporary world” (4-25 October 2015). The speakers were: Cardinal Lorenzo Baldisseri, general secretary of the Synod of Bishops; Cardinal Peter Erdo, archbishop of Esztergom-Budapest, Hungary, general rapporteur of the 14th General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops; and Archbishop Bruno Forte of Chieti-Vasto, Italy, special secretary of the 14th General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops.The Instrumentum Laboris, explained Cardinal Baldisseri, is divided into three parts following the structure of the Relatio Synodi, demonstrating the close link between the Third Extraordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops in October 2014, dedicated to “The pastoral challenges of the family in the context of evangelisation”, and the upcoming Ordinary General Assembly. The first part, entitled “Listening to the challenges of the family”, relates most directly to last year's Synod, while the second, “Discernment of the family vocation”, and third, “The mission of the family today”, introduce the theme of the next one.The cardinal highlighted certain novelties in the first part, which refer principally to the anthropological-cultural, socio-economic and ecological contexts, “now happily enlightened by the new Encyclical letter Laudato si'”. The challenges, he explained, are “poverty and social exclusion, old age, widowhood, bereavement in the family, disability, migration, the role of women, emotional life and education in sexuality, and bioethics”.In the second part, “Discernment of the family vocation”, the Relatio Synodi is enriched with an extension of the themes regarding natural marriage and sacramental fullness, indissolubility as a gift and a duty, family life, union and fruitfulness, the missionary dimension, faith, prayer, catechesis, the intimate bond between Church and family, the young and fear of marriage, and mercy.The third part, devoted to “The mission of the family today”, begins with a broad-ranging reflection on the family and evangelisation, and explores in depth a number of other issues such as the family as subject of pastoral ministry, nuptial liturgy, renewed language and missionary openness.The general secretary of the Synod of Bishops noted that it makes reference to “the family and ecclesial accompaniment, the streamlining of procedures for causes for annulment, the integration of faithful in irregular situations, the eventual introduction of a penitential route, the pastoral problems regarding mixed marriages and disparities of worship, as well as questions related to responsible procreation, reduction of births, adoption and fostering, respect for life from conception to natural end, and education of future generations.“The reference to the economic hardship experienced by many families, who run the risk of being subject to usury, is very relevant”, he added, “as is the socio-political commitment of Christians in favour of the family, also in the international context. In this regard, it would be useful to re-propose the Charter for the Rights of the Family, linked to the Universal Declaration of the Rights of Man”.Cardinal Baldisseri illustrated the work of the Secretariat of the Synod Council between one assembly and another, which began in November 2014 with the presentation of the “Lineamenta”, composed of the Relatio Synodi and a series of 46 questions relating to the reception and deepening of this Synod document. The “Lineamenta” was sent to the synods of the sui iuris Oriental Catholic Churches, to the Episcopal Conferences, to the dicasteries of the Roman Curia and others, with an invitation to respond by 15 April 2015. The Secretariat General received 99 answers from the competent bodies, along with 359 observations sent freely from dioceses, parishes, ecclesial associations, grass-roots groups of faithful, civil movements and organisations, etc. The inter-synodal period has thus been shown to be “a valuable opportunity for listening to what the Spirit says to the Church in the plurality of her components”.Finally, with regard to the methodology of the upcoming General Assembly, it was mentioned that it is Ordinary and not Extraordinary like the previous one and, in accordance with the suggestions of the members of the Synod, “it will continue with the project of the development of the Synod taking a dynamic approach more suited to our times”.The Synod fathers reiterated the need to avoid a “long series of individual interventions, as has happened in previous Synod assemblies, to ensure that they are better distributed in the time available and not presented one after another. The importance of the Circuli Minores was noted, as was the need to maintain the principle of thematic order. Thus, the three weeks of the Synod will be divided in correspondence with the three parts of the Instrumentum Laboris. The first week will be devoted to the first part of the document, the second to the discernment of the family vocation, and the third to the mission of the family today. “At the end of the third week, time will be set aside for the preparation of the final text of the document, which will be presented to the Assembly for the final modifications, to be inserted into the text before its final approval. The method will ensure the opportunity to intervene on the part of all those entitled to do so, including at the end of the day, and will enable more time to be assigned to the Circuli Minores. It is expected that a final document will be produced and consigned to the Holy Father”.With regard to information during the Synod Assembly, the cardinal mentioned the Holy Father's affirmation that “the Synod is a space in which the Holy Spirit can act, not parliament. The Synod Fathers are invited to express themselves with parrhesia. They will be free to communicate with the media at their discretion and with responsibility”.

Annual meeting of the “Populorum Progressio” FoundationVatican City, 23 June 2015 (VIS) The management board of the “Populorum Progressio” Foundation for Latin America will hold its annual council meeting from 22 to 25 June in Guayaquil, Ecuador, to discuss the funding of projects in favour of indigenous mestizo, Afro-American and rural communities in Latin America and the Caribbean during the year 2015. Over one hundred projects were presented this year.Since its institution by St. John Paul II in 1992, the Foundation was entrusted to the Pontifical Council “Cor Unum” and the members of its management board are the archbishops Edmundo Luis Flavio Abastoflor Montero of La Paz, Bolivia, president; Antonio Arregui Yarza of Guayaquil, Ecuador, deputy president; Nicolas de Jesus Lopez Rodriguez, cardinal archbishop of Santo Domingo; Oscar Urbina Ortega of Villavicencio, Colombia; Murilo Sebastiao Ramos Krieger of Sao Salvador de Bahia, Brazil; Javier Augusto Del Rio Alba of Arequipa, Peru; and Msgr. Segundo Tajado Munoz, under secretary of “Cor Unum”.The meeting provided an opportunity to study the most effective methods of implementing the Foundation's mandate, especially in favour of Indios, peasant farmers and Afro-American communities. Indeed, the Encyclical “Laudato si'”, while aimed at encouraging a more responsible attitude to the defence of creation, also proposes a model for the full development of the person, within the framework of human ecology, or rather in rapport with the surrounding environment. The Foundation works in this way and evaluates projects that are, in particular, able to link human development with the natural environment of the territories in which they are to be realised.So far more than four thousand projects have been implemented by the Foundation, with a total of more than 35 million dollars assigned to them. They typically promote the participation of local communities and involve different sectors: agriculture and livestock farming, craft and micro-businesses, infrastructure for drinking water, education and school equipment, health, and construction, among others.The Italian Episcopal Conference is among the major contributors to the “Populorum Progressio” Foundation.

AudiencesVatican City, 23 June 2015 (VIS) – Today, the Holy Father received in audience:- Archbishop Zygmunt Zimowski, president of the Pontifical Council for Health Pastoral Care;- Cardinal Beniamino Stella, prefect of the Congregation for the Clergy;- Professor Alberto Melloni and entourage;- Bishop Lorenzo Chiarinelli, emeritus of Viterbo, Italy;- Bishop Vitus Huonder of Chur, Switzerland.

Other Pontifical ActsVatican City, 23 June 2015 (VIS) – The Holy Father has accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the apostolic vicariate of Puerto Maldonado, Peru, presented by Bishop Francisco Gonzalez Hernandez, O.P., in accordance with canon 401 para.2 of the Code of Canon Law. He is succeeded by Bishop David Martinez De Aguirre Guinea, O.P., coadjutor of the same apostolic vicariate.

Tuesday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary TimeLectionary: 372

Reading 1GN 13:2, 5-18

Abram was very rich in livestock, silver, and gold.

Lot, who went with Abram, also had flocks and herds and tents,so that the land could not support them if they stayed together;their possessions were so great that they could not dwell together.There were quarrels between the herdsmen of Abram’s livestockand those of Lot’s.(At this time the Canaanites and the Perizziteswere occupying the land.)

So Abram said to Lot:“Let there be no strife between you and me,or between your herdsmen and mine, for we are kinsmen.Is not the whole land at your disposal?Please separate from me.If you prefer the left, I will go to the right;if you prefer the right, I will go to the left.”Lot looked about and saw how well wateredthe whole Jordan Plain was as far as Zoar,like the LORD’s own garden, or like Egypt.(This was before the LORD had destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.)Lot, therefore, chose for himself the whole Jordan Plainand set out eastward.Thus they separated from each other;Abram stayed in the land of Canaan,while Lot settled among the cities of the Plain,pitching his tents near Sodom.Now the inhabitants of Sodom were very wickedin the sins they committed against the LORD.

After Lot had left, the LORD said to Abram:“Look about you, and from where you are,gaze to the north and south, east and west;all the land that you see I will give to youand your descendants forever.I will make your descendants like the dust of the earth;if anyone could count the dust of the earth,your descendants too might be counted.Set forth and walk about in the land, through its length and breadth,for to you I will give it.”Abram moved his tents and went on to settlenear the terebinth of Mamre, which is at Hebron.There he built an altar to the LORD.

Responsorial PsalmPS 15:2-3A, 3BC-4AB, 5

R. (1b) He who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord.He who walks blamelessly and does justice;who thinks the truth in his heartand slanders not with his tongue.R. He who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord.Who harms not his fellow man,nor takes up a reproach against his neighbor;By whom the reprobate is despised,while he honors those who fear the LORD.R. He who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord.Who lends not his money at usuryand accepts no bribe against the innocent.He who does these thingsshall never be disturbed.R. He who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord.

AlleluiaJN 8:12

R. Alleluia, alleluia.I am the light of the world, says the Lord;whoever follows me will have the light of life.R. Alleluia, alleluia.

GospelMT 7:6, 12-14

Jesus said to his disciples:“Do not give what is holy to dogs, or throw your pearls before swine,lest they trample them underfoot, and turn and tear you to pieces.

“Do to others whatever you would have them do to you.This is the Law and the Prophets.

“Enter through the narrow gate;for the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction,and those who enter through it are many.How narrow the gate and constricted the road that leads to life.And those who find it are few.”

Queen of Northumbria; born (probably) about 630; died at Ely, 23 June, 679. While still very young she was given in marriage by her father, Anna, King of East Anglia, to a certain Tonbert, a subordinate prince, from whom she received as morning gift a tract of land locally known as the Isle of Ely. She never lived in wedlock with Tonbert, however, and for five years after his early death was left to foster her vocation to religion. Her father then arranged for her a marriage of political convenience with Egfrid, son and heir to Oswy, King of Northumbria. From this second bridegroom, who is said to have been only fourteen years of age, she received certain lands at Hexham; through St. Wilfrid of York she gave these lands to found the minster of St. Andrew. St. Wilfrid was her friend and spiritual guide, but it was to him that Egfrid, on succeeding his father, appealed for the enforcement of his marital rights as against Etheldreda's religious vocation. The bishop succeeded at first in persuading Egfrid to consent that Etheldreda should live for some time in peace as a sister of the Coldingham nunnery, founded by her aunt, St. Ebba, in what is now Berwickshire. But at last the imminent danger of being forcibly carried off by the king drove her to wander southwards, with only two women in attendance. They made their way to Etheldreda's own estate of Ely, not, tradition said, without the interposition of miracles, and, on a spot hemmed in by morasses and the waters of the Ouse, the foundation of Ely Minster was begun. This region was Etheldreda's native home, and her royal East Anglian relatives gave her the material means necessary for the execution of her holy design. St. Wilfrid had not yet returned from Rome, where he had obtained extraordinary privileges for her foundation from Benedict II, when she died of a plague which she herself, it is said, had circumstantially foretold. Her body was, throughout many succeeding centuries, an object of devout veneration in the famous church which grew up on her foundation. One hand of the saint is now venerated in the church of St. Etheldreda, Ely Place, London, which enjoys the distinction of being the first—and at present (1909) the only—pre-Reformation church in Great Britain restored to Catholic worship. Built in the thirteenth century as a private chapel attached to the town residence of the Bishop of Ely, the structure of St. Etheldreda's passed through many vicissitudes during the centuries following its desecration, until, in 1873-74, it was purchased by Father William Lockhart and occupied by the Institute of Charity, of whose English mission Father Lockhart was then superior.